ITALIAN Breed Standard

Cani di pastore maremmano abruzzese

GENERAL
CHARACTERISTICS

The Maremma is classified scientifically as belonging
to the lupoid group (according to Pierre Megnin) As a working dog he is
classed as a sheep dog. Full name Cane Da Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese.
He is a large, strongly built dog. In spite of his rustic appearance,
he is at the same time majestic and distinguished, robust and courageous,
with a very intelligent expression. His character is docile, but he becomes
fierce when he is at work as a guardian of the flock and of his master's
property. His hair is abundant, long and white. The general conformation
is that of a heavy mesomorph, with the body longer than the height at
the withers, harmonious as to form (heterometric), and relatively harmonious
in outline (halloidism).

WEIGHT AND HEIGHT

Weight

MALES:

77 -
99lbs,

35 -
45kg's

FEMALES:

66 -
88lbs,

30 -
40kg's

Height

MALES:

65 -
73 cm

25.5
- 29 inches

FEMALES
:

60 -
68 cm

23.5
- 26.5 inches

HEAD

Dolichocephalic: The total length of the head is about equal to 4/10 of
the height at the withers, the length of the muzzle is less than 1/10
of the length of the cranium. The width of the skull, measured from one
cheekbone to the other is rather more than half of the total length of
the head, but the cephalic index should not be more than 52.5 The direction
of the upper longitudinal axes of the skull and of the muzzle is slightly
divergent. Overall, the head is large, shaped like a blunt wedge, and
is reminiscent of the head of the polar bear.

This
is a very correct head. It is conical, broad with a blunt wedge
shape.

Another
correct head

This
head shows beautiful size and breadth

SKULL:

the length of the skull is 1/10 more than the length of the muzzle, and
its width from cheek to cheek is more than half of the total length of
the head; the lateral walls of the skull are therefore somewhat rounded.
Seen in profile, the skull is also somewhat rounded and rather wide between
the eyes; it narrows toward the facial region. Its upper longitudinal
axis diverges slightly from the axis of the nasal bridge. The sinuses
are not pronounced. The occipital protuberance is not accentuated.

Incorrect
skull. The head should be more flat

Good
breadth of skull, blunt wedge shape

Broad
skull, good proportions

Breadth
of skull and muzzle in proportion

MUZZLE:

the sides of the muzzle tend to converge, but the forward part of the
muzzle has a rather flat surface. The muzzle should be, in height or depth
5/10 of its length (measured at the level of commissure). The suborbital
region should be rather chiselled.

Broad
muzzle, chiseled correct eyes

Well
proportioined head

Eyes
too big, muzzle narrow and too long

Fine,
snipey muzzle, too long, too much stop

NOSE:

wet and cool, it is positioned on the line of the nasal bridge, with a
large border, and nostrils which are large; seen in profile, the nose
should not extend beyond the front vertical line of the lips, its forward
face is on the same vertical plane as the forward face of the muzzle.
Pigmentation: Black

BRIDGE:

straight (for its length and direction in relation to the cranial axis,
(see Head) Its width, measured at the midpoint should be 22% of the total
length of the head, and about 55% of the length of the nasal bridge itself.

STOP:

should not be pronounced

LIPS:

the upper lips, seen from the front are shaped like a semi-circle with
a very narrow chord. The lips are not high, and thus they barely cover
the lower teeth; the commissure, because of the slight development of
the lips, is not pronounced. Consequently, the lower lateral profile of
the muzzle is described by the lips only in their lower-lateral-forward
part, while farther back, toward the commissure, it is delineated by the
mandible and by the commissure itself the pigment of the lip edges must
be black.

Correct
mouth and pigmentation

Lips
not fitting mouth line well enough

Fine
mouth, accentuated by little underjaw

JAWS:

robust, with normal development and meeting in perfect scissor bite; the
back part of the upper incisors should fit snugly over the front side
of the lower incisors. The upper line of the lower jaw is nearly straight;
teeth should be white, regularly aligned, and compete in development and
number.

The teeth pictured left are unevenly spaced.

The teeth pictured right display a good scissor bite.

EYES:

the eyes are not large, considering the overall size of the dog. They
should neither be deep-set nor protruding. They are ochre or dark brown
in colour. The eyelids must fit fairly close to the eyes. The eye slit
is almond-shaped. Pigmentation of the eyelids must be black. The direction
of the axes of lids (that is, the straight line which passes between the
two corners of the eye opening) determines a 30 degree angle with the
median plane of the head.

All
these eyes are NOT correct.

Eyes
set on wrong angle and too close together

Eyes
set too straight on the face

This
whole head is incorrect. Eyes are round and set wrong.

Shape
and angle is crucial for expression!

Eyes
set on wrong angle

Round
eyes set straight

Eyes
set straight on face

Study
these eyes against the following

Round
eyes set straight

Large,
round, straight set

Large
round eyes set straight on the face

Close up of
the maremma eye. This eye is almond shaped, but a little too round.
The colour of the eye is beautiful.

These
eyes ARE correct.

Here
is the melting maremma expression we aim for.

Notice
the angle of these dogs' eyes

Almond
shaped

EARS:

considering the size of the dog, the ears are rather small, they are V
shaped, set on considerably above the zygomatic arch, and are covered
with hair. The tip should be sharply pointed and never be rounded. Ear
length in an average sized dog should not be more than 4 1/2 inches when
the dog is completely in repose, the ears hang down at the sides of the
head, but whenever the dog is alerted the ears are very mobile and should
rise to a semierect position: This is indicative of the Maremma's talents
as a guard dog and is a specific trait of the breed. The ears may be clipped
to a certain extent, if the dog is to be used as custodian of a flock.

These
ears are NOT correct.

Ears
set high on the head and forward over the face.

Not
only incorrect ears, but very round eyes also.

Ears
set high on the head and too large.

Ears
too large and set high on the head.

Very
large ears set too low on the head.

Ears
must be correct size, shape, and position to maintain expression

Small
ears but rounded tip.

Very
large ears, rounded tip, set at correct height.

Ears
large and long, set low.

These
ears ARE correct.

Small
V shaped ear set correctly.

Well
proportioned head with small ears

NECK:

Strong, with long thick hair which forms a collar, there should be no
dewlap. The length of the neck measured from the nape to the edge of the
withers should not be more than 8/10 of the length of the head, and is
almost 3.2/10 the height of the withers.

This
neck is too long

This
neck is the correct length

FOREQUARTERS:

The shoulders should be long, sloping, strongly muscled, and very free
in movement. The length is about 1/4 of the height at the withers, while
the slope varies from 50 - 60 degrees from the horizontal. the points
of the scapulae are relatively vertical in respect to the medial plane
of the body and therefore fairly well apart.

Both
these shoulders are too straight, and will not allow correct free
movement - note the difference in the angles shown in red

Now
correct legs, with the angles shown in red. Compare this photo to
the angles drawing

Upper Arm:

well joined to the body in the upper two-thirds, with strong muscles,
sloped at 55 - 60 degrees from the horizontal. Its length at the withers
and its direction are nearly parallel to the medial plane of the body.

Forearm:

well boned, vertical. Its length is slightly more than the length of the
humerus, and measures slightly less than 1/3 of the height at the withers.
The height at the elbow is 52.87% of the height at the withers. The elbows,
which are normally close to the body and covered with soft, loose skin,
should lie on a plane which is parallel to the medial plane of the body.
The point of the elbow should lie on a perpendicular from the scapular.

Wrist:

the wrist lies on the vertical of the forearm; lean, smooth, with no visible
bone relief, except at its back edge, where the pisiform bone protrudes.

Pastern:

seen from in front, the pastern follows the vertical line of the forearm,
it is lean with a minimal amount of subcutaneous cellular tissue. Its
length should not be less than 1/6 of the height of the entire member
at the elbow. Seen in profile it should be slightly extended.

Foot:

large, rounded, with toes well closed, and covered with short dense hair.
The pads are lean and hard; the nails are strong and arched. The pads
are strongly pigmented, as are the nails, the pigment should be black
(brown in the nail is acceptable).

Large
round feet

Black
nails

Small
turned out feet

Also
lacking in chest

BODY:

The length of the body, measured from the point of the shoulder (Outer
scapular-humeral angle) or from the manubrium of the sternum to the point
of the buttock (posterior point of the ischium), is 1/18 greater than
the height at the withers.

Chest:

broad and well open, with well developed pectoral muscles, the width between
the lateral limits (the upper and forward edges of the arms) should be
25% of the height at the withers. The sternum should be level with the
point of the shoulders.

Notice
there is no width of chest at all between the front legs

This
is a young bitch showing promising chest development

Very
wide chest floor on a mature bitch but is affecting the shoulder
angles

Rib Cage:

broad, descending to the level of the elbow, well rounded at the midpoint
of the height. The cross diameter which is greatest at half of the height,
diminishes slightly toward the bottom, so that the stern region is still
broad. The ribs are well sprung, oblique, with well extended interrib
spaces; the last false ribs are long, oblique and well open. The sternum
is long: in profile its outline is that of a semicircle with a very broad
chord, which ascends toward the abdomen. The circumference of the rib
cage should be about 1/4 greater than the height at the withers, and its
diameter should be at least 32% of the height at the withers, while the
depth of the rib cage should be 50%. In a dog 27 inches high the rib cage
should have the following dimensions: circumference (behind the elbows)
32.6 inches; circumference on the rib arches 28.7 inches; depth 13.4 inches;
height 12.8 inches. The thoracic index, therefore, should not exceed it
(and should be preferably less).

Back:

the withers are slightly raised above the backline, with the points of
the scapulae set well apart. The upper outline of the back is straight.
The length is about 32% of the height at the withers.

Back
is not straight - rump too high

Back
is very straight but rump falls too steeply

Back
rising to the rump

Very long body with angled topline

Topline
poor, tail set high, feet - east/west

Notice
the definite dip in this dogs topline

This
back is straight, with very correct slope of rump

Correct
straight topline, correct rump and tail

Correct
topline, rump and set of tail

Loins:

well incorporated into the backline, slightly convex as viewed in profile.
The muscles are well developed in their breadth. The length is 1/5 of
the height at the withers. The width is almost equal to the length

Belly:

its lower line, from the stern forward, rises very slightly toward the
flanks, in such a way that the belly is slightly drawn up. The flanks
should be of a length which is almost equal to the lumbar region; the
hollowing of the flank should be minimal.

Croup:

broad, robust, muscular; the cross diameter between the haunches should
be 1/7 of the height at the withers. Its length is 1/3 of the height at
the withers. Its slope, from the haunch to the set on of the tail, is
20 degrees from the horizontal, and thus the dog's croup is hollowed.

Sexual Organs

the male should have perfect and complete development of the testicles.

Tail:

set on low, because of the followed croup, when the dog is standing in
normal position, the tail passes the hock. In repose it is carried hanging
down, while when the dog is excited it is carried at the backline, with
the tip slightly curved. It is well feathered with dense hair, but there
should be no fringe.

These
are spitz tails and are a serious breed fault

Notice
tails are curled and held high over the dogs back

Incorrect
tail carraige is directly related to hip angles

This
is a very highly attached tail. It will likely develop into a spitz
tail as she matures

Correct
carraige of tail when dog is excited

Correct
set, insertion and carraige of tail

Not
strictly a spitz tail - it lacks a full curl, but is carried too high

Tail
is too short, only just reaching the hock

HINDQUARTERSThigh:

long, broad, covered with powerful muscles, with the back edge slightly
convex. Its length is 1/3 of the height at the withers. Its outer face,
from one edge to the other, should be 3/4 of its length. Its direction
is slightly sloping form above to below and from the back forward, and,
in respect to the vertical, it should be parallel to the medial plane
of the body.

Poor
bone and muscle development for an adult bitch

Powerful
musculature with good bone, but not very parellel

Not
parellel

Severe
cow hocks

Correct
set of hind legs

Leg:

well boned, and well equipped with lean muscles. The length is slightly
less than the length of the thigh, and is 32.5% of the height at the withers.
Its slope is about 60 degrees from the horizontal.

Both
dogs here have legs are too straight and feet are turned out

The
hindquarter is crucial to correct movement

Both
these have very correct legs with good angles and correct set of tail

Hock:

its height is 30.9% of the height at the withers; this means that in a
dog 26 3/4 inches high, the height of the hock should be about 7 1/4 inches.
The sides of the hock are very broad, its forward angulation is quite
closed, seen from behind, the backline which goes from the hock to the
ground should be on the vertical and on the prolongation of the buttock
line.

Metatarses:

robust and lean; its length depends on the height of the hock. Seen from
behind as well as in profile, it should always be vertical. There should
be no dewclaws.

Foot:

like the forefoot, but slight more oval in shape

COATHair:

very abundant, long, rather harsh to the touch, close to the body. A slight
wave is permitted; around the neck, the coat forms a rich collar. It is
short on the muzzle, on the skull, on the ears, on the forward edge of
all four limbs, on the back edge of which it forms a slight fringe. The
undercoat is abundant and only a winter coat. The texture of the hair
is semivitreous. The length of the hair on the body may be as much as
3 inches

Colour:

Skin:

close-fitting and rather thick all over, the neck has no dewlap. Lips,
nose and eyelids should be black, as should the pads of the feet and the
nails. (Brown nails are acceptable)

GAIT

The pace is long, as is the trot.

This
dog has great difficulty moving due to hip angles and poor topline

Notice
the difference in the hips and legs as this dog moves compared to
the first photo

Maremma
in full flight! Notice the way both hind legs are now coming forward
together. The run is different to the walk and trot

Same
maremma in full flight but now in the extension stage of the movement
- this dog is chasing a sighthound!

This
drawing illustrates how to measure the lengths described
in the standards, and how to measure the angles. Body length
is measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the hip.
Height is measured at the foreleg to the top of the shoulder. Angulation
of the legs is demonstrated here well, as are the needed proportions.

Compare
this drawing now with the various photos shown throughout the standards
to see how many of the dogs photographed vary from the ideal.

You can download a printable version of this drawing then measure
your dog and do the math! You will find once you have actually measured a number of dogs you will develop an 'eye' for this and won't always need to do exact measuring. It is probably easiest to start with to measure your dog directly but you can use a good photo to measure on also.

VIDEO explaining the dog's anatomical structure

This video will walk you through the diagram above explaining the dog's anatomy.

Very
incorrect leg angles, & toplineCorrect
leg angles

Incorrect
angles giving a straight shoulderCorrect
shoulder angles

FAULTS

General Characteristics: undistinguished overall appearance, light
bone, lack of symmetry.Height: deficient or excessive.Head: convergent cranial facial axis (a very serious fault). Nose
lower than the line of the bridge; protruding on the vertical of the forepart
of the nose; small; nostrils not well open; deficient pigmentation. Total
de-pigmentation a disqualification.Bridge: short, narrow, with the sidelines exaggeratedly convergent;
convex (arched); a pronounced arch or hollow constitutes a disqualification.Lips: over or under-developed. Conjunction of the upper lips decidedly
in the shape of an inverted VMuzzle: short, exaggerated convergence forward of its sides, that
is, a decidedly pointed muzzle.Jaws: thin; overshot condition if it harms the general appearance
of the muzzle, undershot condition if due to lack of length in the mandible
is a disqualification; if it is the result of bad direction of teeth it
is a fault. Curved lower jaw; Irregular teeth; teeth lacking; horizontal
erosion of the teeth.Skull: small, short, flat on top, or exaggeratedly rounded; broad
at the zygomatic arches; masseters overly developed; underdeveloped sinuses;
or (a serious fault) overly developed, to the point where the stop is
pronounced. Convergence of the cranial facial longitudinal axis.Eyes: too small, or prominent; light eyes; walleyes (disqualification).
Eyes set too high, round, entropion; suspicious expression; cross eyes.
Partial depigmentation of the eyelids, or (disqualification) total depigmentation.
total bilateral depigmentation of the eyelids (disqualification).Ears: too long or too short; semierect or rose ears. Set on low,
rounded tips, covered with excessively long hair, not mobile.Neck: thin, too short; presence of dewlap.Pastern: short, thin, spongy; too long, too extended or straight;
out of vertical.Foot: (Forefoot) fat; splayed, broad, too big, crushed; deficiency
of arching in the toes; foot carried in or out, that is, not vertically.
toe pads fleshy, thin sloes; deficiency of colouring in nails and pads.
Bad positioning of pads.Body: too long; longitudinal diameter equal to height at the withers.Chest: narrow, insufficiently let down; poor muscular development;
manubrium of sternum positioned too low.RibCage: too low, too shallow and of insufficient circumference;
narrow; carenated. Xiphoid appendage curved inward; short stern; rib arches
not sufficiently open. Ribs not sufficiently sprung; inter rib spaces
not broad; false ribs short and closed;Back: short, interruption of the backline at the eleventh vertebrae.
Saddle back (Lordosis); carp back (Hyphosis).Loins: long, flat, narrow.Belly: drawn up; long and hollowed flank.Croup: narrow; deficient in length ; horizontal.SexualOrgans: Monorchidism (disqualification), cryptorchidsm
(disqualification). Incomplete development of one or both testes. (disqualification) Tail: too long or too short; lack of brachyurism, either congenital
or artificial (disqualification); tail set on high. Tail curled over the
back (disqualification), or with decided fringes.Thighs: short, or with badly developed muscles, that is, flat,
deviated from the stifle; too straight or too sloped.Leg: light bone; short, insufficiently sloped.Hock: high; not broad; open or closed
angulation; out of vertical.Metatarses: long, thin; out of vertical; dewclaws (a very serious
fault).

Dewclaws.
Notice how they protude from the leg. These are very easily damaged,
and this is very painful for a dog. They should be removed at a few
days of age.

Hair: strongly waved, curly (disqualification); short; lack of
winter undercoat; hair too harsh or too soft.Colour: other than solid white; Isabella coat (disqualification);
Isabel or ivory markings, even if very small, with sharp edges (disqualification).
Ivory or pale orange tints in abundance.Skin: thin or too thick, over abundance; dewlap; traces of depigmentation
on the nose and on the edges of the eyelids; lack of colouring, even if
season; total depigmentation of the nose (disqualification).Gait: short, jumpy, ambling.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

Height: more than 30 inches at the withers and more than 3/4 inch
less than the minimum height standard.Head: decidedly convergent cranial facial axis.Bridge: concave or exaggeratedly arched.

In judging, if any characteristic vital to the type of the breed is graded,
the dog cannot be considered, but will be disqualified even if the other
characteristics are all graded excellent.

Please use the submit an article link below if you have an electronic copy of the maremma breed standard for your country so that it can be included on this site as we would love to include the standards for every country.

Did this page give you the information you needed?
If you notice anything that you could add, why don't you submit an article or story?

ABOUT US - This website is the copyright property of maremmano.com - no material may be reproduced without express permission of the site owner and a link provided to the orginal information, please contact for any requests to reproduce material from here - email. [email protected]